THE HON WARREN SNOWDON MP

DAMIAN HALE MP

Member for Solomon

11 May 2010

The Northern Territory is set to benefit from the Rudd Government’s strong commitment to Defence in the Northern Territory under the 2010-11 Budget.

Member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon and Member for Solomon Damian Hale, warmly welcomed this year’s budget, which includes more than $214 million dollars in funding to maintain and upgrade new defence facilities in the Territory.

This includes:

o$42.8 million for the $72.1 million Robertson Barracks Redevelopment project;

o$25 million for work as part of the $49.8 million RAAF Base Darwin Redevelopment Stage 2 project; and

o$16.9 million for approved medium capital works facilities at Shoal Bay – part of the $12.3 million Receiving Station Facilities upgrade and at Darwin and the $10.7 million Naval Fuel Installation Rectification project.

“The Katherine region is also set to benefit greatly from the ongoing investments with $40.9 million towards the Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft Facilities project at RAAF Tindal, and $36 million to continue the RAAF Base Tindal Redevelopment Stage 5 in 2010-11,” Mr Snowdon said.

“These are significant investment for RAAF Tindal, and they will be warmly welcomed by all Territorians, especially defence personnel and their families around Katherine,” added Mr Snowdon.

The Rudd Government’s investments will provide facilities and infrastructure to support the new airborne early warning and control aircraft at RAAF Tindal, including new taxiways and operational facilities.

“This funding will also be used to upgrade and expand existing working accommodation, provide for new accommodation and augment electrical and water supply infrastructure,” Mr Snowdon said.

“The hard working men and women of the ADF in the Northern Territory have an important job, working in the national interest to protect our nation. These investments will mean they can continue to do their jobs,” said Mr Hale.